Is the birthday of Prophet Muhammad s.a.w.s. on 12th of Rabbi-Awwal? How did they come up with this precise date in an era when there were no calendars, etc.? When did the Prophet s.a.w.s. pass away?
Question
The question text was not published separately; the title stands in for it.
Is the birthday of Prophet Muhammad s.a.w.s. on 12th of Rabbi-Awwal? How did they come up with this precise date in an era when there were no calendars, etc.? When did the Prophet s.a.w.s. pass away?
Answer
Historians differ as to the birthday of Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam). Many have preferred the view of it being 12 Rabi-ul-Awwal. Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) passed away on 12 Rabi-ul-Awwal. This has been recorded in authentic narrations.
Determination of dates is not dependent on printed calendars. The Islamic calendar is lunar. Thus, by the sighting of the moon all the people know that it is the first of the month, and based on this can determine which is the 12 of the lunar month.
and Allah Ta'ala Knows Best
Moulana Imraan Vawda
FATWA DEPT.
CHECKED AND APPROVED CORRECT: Mufti Ebrahim Desai
Q: What is the correct view on the date of Rasulullah's (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) birth and demise?
A: According to the majority opinion, Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) was born in the month of Rabi-ul-Awwal, in the year of the elephant. The day of his birth was Monday.
Hadhrat Abu Qataadah (Radhiallaahu Anhu) narrates that Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) was asked regarding the fast of Monday. He replied, 'It is the day I was born and also the day when the first revelation was sent upon me.' (Muslim vol1 pg.368; Deoband).
There are differences of opinion on the date of Rasulullah's (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) birth. Allaamah Kawthari (RA) prefers the 9th of Rabi-ul-Awwal. (Maqaalaatul Kawthari pg.405 - 207). Allaamah Qastalaani (RA) states that the majority of the Muhadditheen and historians have also preferred the 9th of Rabi-ul-Awwal.
Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) passed away in Rabiul-Awwal on a Monday. As regards the date of his demise, there are three opinions: 1, 2 and 12 Rabi-ul-Awwal (Bidaaya Wan Nihaaya vol.5 pg.275)
The 9th Dhul-Hijjah (day of Arafah) in the year 10AH (the year which Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) performed Hajj) was a Friday. If the months Dhul-Hijjah, Muharram and Safar, all were 30 days, or 29 days or some 29 and others 30 days, the 12th Rabi-ul-Awwal did not fall on a Monday. Therefore, the preferred view of the date of Rasulullah's demise is the 1st or 2nd Rabi-ul-Awwal. Ibn Jarir (RA) prefers the 1st Rabi-ul-Awwal while Ibn Hajar prefers the 2nd Rabi-ul-Awwal. (Al-Mawaahib with Zarqaani vol.1 pg.131) - Al-Mahmood 15
- Answered by
- Moulana Imraan Vawda
Fatawa SA is an independent, read-only index of fatawa already published by Darul Iftaa Mahmudiyyah (AskImam). It is not a fatwa service. For your own situation, ask the issuing Darul Ifta directly.